JP2003532905A - Direct recording image processing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The direct recording image processing film (100) comprises a first layer (112) disposed on a substrate (110) and a second layer (116) disposed on the first layer (112). including. The first layer (112) may be dispersed or otherwise destroyed by light of the first wavelength to reduce the adhesion of the second layer (116) to the film (100). The second layer (116) has a relatively strong absorbance for light of a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength. In using the film (100), light of the first wavelength is used to destroy any portion of the first layer (112); and the portion of the second layer (116) above is removed, An image is generated that strongly absorbs the second wavelength and is defined by the remaining portion of the second layer (116).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

(Related Application) This patent application is filed on January 14, 1998, and claims priority to provisional patent application number 60 / 071,413 named "Direct Recording Image Processing Medium". FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to photoresponsive materials and methods of use thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a direct recording image processing film that can be directly imaged thereon by a light beam without the use of any photomask or negative.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Photolithographic and / or photoetching methods include printed circuit boards,
It is widely used in semiconductor device fabrication, printing plate fabrication, and many other such processes. Such optical techniques generally utilize one or more masks, also called phototools. The phototool is used as a master under the exposure of other photosensitizers. In general, materials for phototools should have very high resolution and be capable of imparting high contrast to the image at the image processing wavelength. That is, the phototool material should have image areas that are highly absorbing at the image processing wavelengths and background areas that are highly transparent at the image processing wavelengths.

A wide variety of media are used for making photomasks. One group of materials includes direct recording media. In such materials, a light beam, typically a high intensity light beam from a laser, is scanned across the film to form an image directly on the material. This type of system is advantageous in that it is easily compatible with computerized data storage and processing systems. Moreover, this type of image processing medium typically has a relatively low sensitivity to ambient lighting and can be handled under normal room light.

Several different types of direct recording film are known in the prior art.
One group of films comprises ablative imaging films. In these materials, a high-intensity light beam, typically from a laser, strikes the body of the imaging material and the material is physically removed by volatilization. One such process is shown in US Pat. No. 5,521,050. Another direct recording image processing film in which a light beam removes or decomposes image processing dyes is shown in US Pat. No. 5,747,197.
A somewhat similar approach is shown in US Pat. No. 5,256,506. As disclosed therein, a layer of light absorbing removable dye-containing material is disposed over the layer of ablation enhancing material. Both layers are highly absorbing of the imaging light beam and the ablation enhancing material enhances the sensitivity of the imaging media by driving the volatile dye containing layer out of the film. Although ablation imaging films are widely used, volatilization of relatively thick layers of imaging materials results in large volumes of eluate, which may be toxic and must be wiped from the imaging device in any case. .

Another approach to providing a direct recording medium involves a light dispersive material. In this type of imaging film, a layer of fusible material, typically a metal, is placed on a substrate of continuous sheet. The light beam impinges on the layer and melts it. The molten layer forms droplets due to surface tension, which reduces the optical density of the imaged area. In order to provide sufficient optical density in the non-dispersive regions, these films usually require a relatively thick layer of metal, and therefore a fairly large energy flux to disperse. Examples of such image processing materials are shown in US Pat. Nos. 4,000,334 and 4,211,838.

There is a need for a direct recording image processing film that has high resolution and high contrast and does not generate large amounts of volatiles in use. In addition, the imaging film
It should have very good dimensional stability and should be resistant to scratching, cracking and fading under ambient handling conditions.

The present invention provides a direct recording image processing film that meets all of the above criteria.
The direct recording image processing film of the present invention does not require any wet chemical treatment,
It may be used under ambient light conditions and is easily adapted for use in a computer controlled image processing system of the type in which a laser or similar light source is controlled to record directly on film. The imaging films of the present invention have a very high DMax and a very low DMin in the UV portion of the spectrum, but are highly transparent in both the image and background regions at visible wavelengths. This produces a high contrast "see-through image" at the UV wavelength. This transparency combination makes the material of the present invention very useful as a phototool or photomask material, as the see-through property facilitates alignment of the phototool, while the strong UV absorption produces high contrast images. .

As discussed in more detail below, the imaged areas of the film are very resistant to fading or photobleaching. The image processing medium is very resistant to scratching or chemical damage; thus no overlamination is required. The image processing species of the present invention are molecular, not particles; thus high resolution is achieved. The materials of the present invention do not require any chemical treatment, special ventilation, or special handling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In this specification, a first layer of a first material disposed on a substrate and a second layer of a second material disposed in superposed relation with the layer of the first material. A direct recording image processing film is disclosed that includes a substrate having a. The first layer has a higher absorbance for light of the first wavelength than for light of the second wavelength, the light of the second wavelength being shorter than the first wavelength. The second layer has a lower absorbance for the light of the first wavelength than the first layer and a higher absorbance for the light of the second wavelength than the first layer. The material of the first layer is destructible by light of the first wavelength, and when destroyed, the adhesion of the overlying portion of the second layer to the rest of the image processing film is reduced, resulting in the first layer The portion of the second layer above the destroyed area of the can be easily removed from the rest of the image processing film.

In certain embodiments, the layer of first material comprises a metal layer. In yet another embodiment, the layer of second material contains a UV absorbing dye therein. In certain embodiments, the UV absorbing dye is a member of a unique group of azo dyes. In some embodiments, a heat spreading layer is incorporated between the first and second layers.
In another embodiment, a body of adhesive is disposed on the second layer, the body of adhesive serving to lift the portion of the second layer above the broken portion of the first layer. . Also disclosed herein is a method of making a phototool that includes the use of the direct recording image processing film of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a direct recording image processing medium and a method of using the same. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an image processing medium 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Medium 10 of FIG.
Typically includes a substrate 12 formed of a material that has good transparency in the visible and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum; and in some embodiments, the substrate is also relatively transparent in the near infrared portion of the spectrum. . The substrate should be dimensionally stable and compatible with the rest of the media. In many instances, flexible substrate materials are preferred, and one particular group of substrate materials includes polyester materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Other substrates include rigid polymers, glass and the like.

A first layer of material 14 is disposed on the substrate 12, on which a second layer of material 16 is deposited.
The layers are arranged. The material 14 of the first layer and the material 16 of the second layer are
It is selected to have a higher absorbance for light of a first wavelength than for light of a second wavelength that is shorter than the first wavelength. The material 16 occupying the second layer has a lower absorbance for the light of the first wavelength than the material of the first layer, and occupies the first layer for the light of the shorter second wavelength. It has a higher absorbance than material 14. More specifically, the first layer material 14 has a relatively high absorbance for the infrared, near infrared, and red wavelengths of the spectrum, but relatively for most visible spectra. Selected to be transparent. Also, the material 14 of the first layer can be dispersible or otherwise destroyed upon absorbing light. The second layer material 16 is selected to be highly absorptive of UV radiation but relatively transparent to the visible portion of the spectrum. Some specific examples of layer materials are provided below.

The novel combination of light absorption properties of the various layers enables the present invention. here,
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, one particular embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2
Shows the first step of the image processing process and is recorded by the laser 18 on the body 10 of a direct recording medium, which is usually similar to the body 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the laser 18 is arranged to direct a light beam 20 to the medium 10. Beam 20 has a relatively long wavelength, most preferably an infrared beam having a wavelength of about 1 micron, as obtained from many commercially available lasers such as YAG lasers and the like. As mentioned above, the second layer 16 is relatively transparent to long wavelength illumination, so that the laser beam 20 passes relatively easily through the second layer. The first layer 14 strongly absorbs this infrared light, and as a result of absorption and thermal heating, the part of the first layer 14 hit by the laser beam 20 is destroyed. In the context of this disclosure, destruction of a layer refers to any process by which the integrity of layer 14 is destroyed. Most typically, laser heating melts layer 14,
It is removed or otherwise physically dispersed to create a fracture region 14 'that contains the rest of the layer in the form of dust, globules, and the like. In another example, destruction may be accomplished by a chemical change within the layer such as a depolymerization chemistry such as oxidation and the like.

The portion of the first layer 16 above the fracture region 14 ′ of the first layer 14 is no longer supported or retained and can be easily removed. FIG. 3 shows one way in which the portion of the first layer 16 above the breakdown region 14 'of the first layer 14 is removed. As shown in FIG. 3, the roller 22 having a slightly tacky adhesive outer surface 24 is
The image processing medium 10 is wound across the upper surface of the second layer 16. This slightly tacky roller adheres to and removes only the portion 16 'of the second layer 16 directly above the fracture area 14' of the first layer 14. In one preferred embodiment, the adhesive surface of the roller is provided by a relatively soft urethane polymer body. In another embodiment, an adhesive layer or the like may be used to provide the adhesive surface. In yet other embodiments, brushes, compressed air or other fluid streams may be used as well to remove the unsupported portion of the second layer.

Destruction of the first layer can produce dust or other debris in the destroyed region 14 ′. Any residue dust or first layer residue will usually not interfere with the subsequent use of the imaged body as a photomask or phototool, but is such dust residue accumulated in various devices? If not, it's awkward. Therefore, it is desirable to remove any residual dust. In some cases,
Removal of that portion of the second layer 16 is accomplished by removing any dust or fracture area 14 ′ of the first layer 14.
It will be enough to remove the rest of the. Dust may be removed using conventional cleaning methods including brushing, rinsing with a stream of compressed gas, vacuum cleaning and the like.

The present invention may be implemented in other aspects and configurations. FIG. 4 shows another variant of the image processing medium 40 according to the invention. The medium 40 of FIG. 4 includes the substrate 12, the first layer 1
4 and the second layer 16 and are generally similar to those described above. The medium 40 of FIG. 4 further includes a layer of low tack adhesive 42 disposed on the second layer and a support sheet 44 disposed on the adhesive body 42. The adhesive 42 is selected to have a relatively low degree of adhesion to the second layer 16, and such adhesives are well known in the art and repositionable marking and gluing. Widely used in sex memo notebooks. The backing layer 44 is most preferably a transparent sheet of a flexible material that facilitates visibility and alignment of the body of the imaging medium 40 during use, although an opaque sheet could also be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first step of forming an image on the body of material 40 involves illuminating the medium 40 with a light beam 20 from a laser 18 or similar high intensity source. This step is similar to the first step shown in Figure 2; however, in this example,
Irradiation is from the substrate side of the member and the substrate should be transparent to the beam 20. However, the second layer 16 need not be particularly transparent to the image processing beam 20. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the irradiation causes a fracture region 14 ′ of the first layer 14. As in the previous embodiment, the first layer breakdown region 14 '.
Underneath the corresponding portion of the second layer, reducing the adhesion of that portion of the second layer 16 to the rest of the image processing medium.

FIG. 5 shows the second step of image formation. In this step, the adhesive layer 42
And its backing layer 44 occupy the balance of the body of the image processing material 40
6, peeled from the first layer 14 and the substrate 12. The adhesive layer 42 also removes the portion 16 ′ of the second layer that is above the fractured area 14 ′ of the first layer 14. The adhesive layer 42, the backing layer 44, and the removed portion 16 'of the second layer are disposed of, and the remainder of the structure 40 contains a photomask or phototool that can be used. As in the above embodiments, in some cases it may be advantageous to remove any remaining portion of the first layer 14 left in the breakdown region 14 '.

FIG. 6 illustrates an imaging phototool made in accordance with the present invention for use in subsequent processing, which illustrates the advantages of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a photomask or phototool 60 made according to the present invention as described above.
As described above, the photo tool 60 includes the substrate portion 12, the first layer 14, and the second layer 1.
Includes 6. It should be noted that only a portion of the substrate 12 is covered with the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 and the remaining portions thereof are separated from these layers in a manner generally similar to that described above. is there.

As further shown, the phototool 60 is disposed on the workpiece 62, the portion shown in interrupted cross section. The workpiece 62 comprises an emulsion or other photoresponsive composition. It is a notable feature of the present invention that the sides of the image are sufficiently cohesive that the image can be directly contacted everywhere on the workpiece 62. This is known in the art as an emulsion to emulsion contact, which
Distinguished from prior art systems that require a protective tooling layer present between the phototool or photomask substrate portion or the image and the workpiece 62 that contacts the workpiece. Emulsion-to-emulsion contact eliminates diffraction and parallax problems that would reduce resolution. It should also be noted that the vertical thicknesses of the various layers have been exaggerated in this figure for purposes of illustration. In a typical composition, the total thickness of the material of the first and second layers according to the invention will be on the order of 1/2 to 10 microns.

Further, FIG. 6 illustrates the interaction between the material of the present invention and the visible light beam 64 and the ultraviolet light beam 66. As shown, the substrate 12, the first layer 14 and the second layer 16
Are all relatively transparent to the main part of the visible spectrum 64. Therefore, the image bearing portion of the photo tool 60 is relatively transparent to the eyes. this is,
Called the see-through image, this feature facilitates placement and alignment of the phototool 60 on the substrate 62. The image portion of the phototool that comprises the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 is highly absorptive of single wavelength UV and near UV radiation 66, thereby efficiently and efficiently removing the substrate 62 from such UV radiation 66. Shield efficiently. In contrast, the non-image bearing portion of the phototool 60 includes only the substrate 12 (and possibly the broken portion of the first layer 14), is transparent to UV radiation 66, and such. The radiation passes through and interacts with the substrate 62.

Although the image processing medium produces high quality, high resolution images suitable for many phototool applications, in some cases certain artifacts and defects occur in the image processing process, and these defects may occur. Is especially problematic for very high resolution applications. Accordingly, in accordance with the present invention, a unique image processing structure is further provided that further minimizes such defects.

Here, FIG. 7 shows an image processing film 1 which is generally the same as the film shown in FIG.
An enlarged plan view of 0 is shown. The film 10 comprises a second dye-bearing film thereon.
It has an imaged area 72 defined by the presence of layers. The film also includes a background area 74 defined as the portion of the film that has been arranged as thin stripes that are continuous in the length of the film and that has the first and second layers removed therefrom. Although there are many missing regions in the illustration of FIG. 7, it is understood that the frequency of such missing regions is exaggerated for illustration purposes and as a matter of fact, with a much lower frequency of occurrence. Should be. The illustrated defect comprises a region 76 in which a portion of the dye-bearing image layer projects and corrugates protruding into the background region; typically spikes 78 similar to corrugation 76. Further, the defect includes the chip formation region 80 in which a part of the second layer is peeled from the first layer closest to the destruction region. The defect causes the first layer globules 82 caused by the incomplete dispersion and the area 84 of the stacked first layer material formed when the dispersed first layer material is thrown as a result of distributed illumination. Also includes. Also visible in the illustration of FIG. 7 is the bridging region 84, which is normally opposite to the chipped portion 80 and occurs when a portion of the second layer is incompletely removed.

Other types of defects include trapezoidal edges that are formed when portions of the first ply material accumulate at the edges of the fracture area. This type of defect results in a line running across the edges of the imaged area, such a defect being designated by reference numeral 86 in FIG. 7, and 8-8 of the imaging film of FIG.
It becomes more apparent from FIG. 8 which is a sectional view taken along the line.

Here, FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of the film 10 of FIG. 7 illustrating the trapezoidal edge defect 84. Without being limited by speculation, these inventors reasoned that trapped trapezoidal edge defects occur when the dispersed first ply material is thrown and collect in the edge region. Such defects distort the geometry of the phototool produced. Other listed defects are believed to occur as a result of thermal and / or mechanical effects of the dispersion process. In some cases, such defects are tolerable; but in other cases, they should be minimized.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned defects, in particular trapezoidal edge defects and chip-shaped defects, are removed by inserting a relatively thin undercoat layer between the light-dispersive first and second layers. Or it turned out that it can be minimized considerably. Without being speculated by way of limitation, it is theorized that this layer acts as a heat spreading layer, mitigating and equilibrating thermal effects, thereby reducing the formation of the defects.

Here, FIG. 9 shows another image processing film 9 constructed according to the principle of the present invention.
0 is shown in cross section. The film 90 has a substrate 12 similar to that described above.
, First layer 14 and second layer 16. However, the film 90 of FIG. 9 further includes a subbing layer 92 that functions as a heat dissipating layer, which is included to minimize defect formation in the imaging film. The subbing layer 92 is typically quite thin, typically with a thickness on the order of 1-5 microns. It is preferably formed of a polymeric material and is relative to both long wavelength illumination used to destroy the first layer 14, short wavelength illumination used when the finished phototool is used, and visible wavelengths. Transparent.

One preferred material for making the subbing layer comprises hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate. One commercially available hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate grade suitable for use in the present invention is available under the tradename HPVA from Precision Coatings Inc. of Wall Drake, Michigan. 50- of methanol and ethyl acetate
It has been found that a 10% solution of this polymer cast from a 50 mixture gives a very good undercoat that minimizes the formation of defects. The other undercoat layer is Morton Chemi
It can be prepared from hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate polymer available under the trade name Morton Polymer 10 from the Cal Company. This polymer solution in a mixture of 2 parts deionized water and 1 part isopropanol gives a very good subbing layer.

The present invention can be implemented with a wide variety of materials. As mentioned above, the substrate 12 should have a high degree of transparency to UV and visible radiation, which is used to induce destruction of the first layer 14 if illumination is provided through the substrate side. It should also be relatively transparent to infrared and near infrared wavelengths. Also, the substrate should have good dimensional stability. In some cases, the substrate may be made from a rigid material such as glass, but in many cases a flexible substrate is desirable. Therefore, usually the substrate is P
Made from flexible polymeric materials with good dimensional stability such as ET, polyimide and the like.

The first layer is made of a material that is relatively transparent to visible wavelengths, but highly absorbing in the infrared and near infrared wavelengths. Furthermore, the material of which this layer is composed should be destructible by the infrared radiation absorbed. It has been found that the most suitable material for making this first layer comprises a thin film of metal. Many metals can be easily deposited on the substrate with a controlled thickness by methods such as vacuum deposition, sputtering and the like.
When sufficiently thin, the layer is highly transparent to visible wavelengths but still absorbs infrared light well. In addition, infrared radiation causes a thin metal layer to disperse light and lose its integrity. There are various materials that can be used as the first layer in the practice of the present invention.
The choice of a suitable material will depend on its adhesion to the substrate and its stability to the surrounding environment and the rest of the image processing medium. One particularly preferred material for the first layer of the present invention comprises titanium. Other metals such as bismuth, nickel, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, etc. can be used as well. Typically,
The metal layer is deposited by sputtering and its thickness is selected such that the optical density of the layer for white light is in the range of about .1 to .8. Typical thickness is less than 1 micron.

The material of the second layer preferably comprises a UV absorbing dye dissolved in a polymeric matrix material. The second layer is typically in the thickness range of 1-10 microns. There are many known and UV absorbing dyes available to those skilled in the art that can be used in the practice of the present invention. However, the Applicant of the present invention has discovered a novel class of UV absorbing dyes that absorb UV light very well, but are relatively transparent to visible and infrared wavelengths. Furthermore, these dyes are very stable even under high levels of illumination and have very good thermal stability and good stability to ambient atmospheric conditions. This preferred group of dyes comprises azo dyes.

As is known in the art, azo dyes include diazonium salts and other organic molecules,
It can typically be formed by coupling with an aromatic molecule. One particular diazonium salt that can be used to form the azo dyes useful in the present invention is represented by Formula I below.

[0033] Formula I

[Chemical 5]

Another diazonium salt useful in the practice of the present invention is defined by Formula II below.

[0035] Formula II

[Chemical 6]

In both formulas, R is hydrogen or an alkyl group, most preferably methyl, ethyl,
Or propyl; Y is halogen, preferably chlorine or fluorine; and X is any anion, most typically halogen, NO ₃ ⁻ , HSO ₄ ⁻ , B
Including F ₄ ⁻ , PF ₆ ^{− and the} like.

The coupler molecule which reacts with the diazonium salt to form the diazo dye is preferably an aromatic molecule. Some particularly preferred couplers have the formulas III and IV:
Represented by

[0038] Formula III

[Chemical 7]

[0039] Formula IV

[Chemical 8]

In the above formula, R is hydrogen or an alkyl group as described above, and for these particular couplers, R is most preferably hydrogen or a low molecular weight alkyl; n is 0 or an integer. , Most preferably 1, 2 or 3.

The azo dye constituted by the above structural formula is easily synthesized, is storage stable, highly absorbs ultraviolet wavelengths, and has relatively little absorption of visible and near infrared wavelengths. Some specific dyes that can be used in the present invention are described below, but such examples include
It should be understood that it is intended to be illustrative of the invention and not a limitation on the practice of the invention.

The first dye useful in the present invention is a halogen having the general formula I above, Y being chlorine, and both R
Prepared from a diazonium salt whose group is ethyl. The cation of this salt is called p-diazonium-o-chloro-N, N-diethylaniline. Reaction of this ion with a coupler of the general formula III in which both R are hydrogen (2,2'-dihydroxy-biphenyl) binds the diazonium nitrogen to one of the aromatic rings, liberates and produces HX. It forms an azo dye. The dye formed appears pale yellow and has a high absorbance in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, especially below 360 nanometers.

In the general formula IV, both R are hydrogen and n is 2 (β-resorcylic acid-ethanolamide)
If a coupling reaction occurs with the coupler, the resulting dye will appear brownish and will absorb light primarily in the visible portion of the spectrum. Similar groups of compounds were prepared by reaction of a diazonium salt of the general formula I in which both R groups are represented by methyl with the above coupler. The diazo dye formed was generally similar to that obtained using the diethyl compound.

Another group of diazo dyes consists of diazonium salts of the formula II in which the R groups para to the sulfur are methyl and the remaining oxygen-bound R groups are both ethyl. Was prepared. The corresponding cation is 1-diazonium-2,5-diethoxy-4-
Called trilymercapto-benzene. Coupling of this diazonium ion with any of the above couplers results in an azo dye having a high absorbance in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum.

The dye is placed in the polymer matrix. Although it is possible to react the diazonium salt with a coupler in the matrix to form the dye there, it is generally preferred to preform the dye in a separate synthesis and then incorporate the dye into the matrix. There are various matrix materials that can be used in the present invention. The matrix material should be compatible with the dye, have good adhesion to the underlying first layer and be relatively transparent to visible, near-ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelengths. Is. One particularly preferred group of matrix materials comprises a cellulose acetate polymer having cellulose acetate propionate (CAP).
It is a particularly preferable material. CAP has good film forming properties, good broad spectrum transparency, and adheres very well to the titanium underlayer. Further, the CAP cleanly breaks from the substrate when the underlying metal layer is destroyed, thereby producing an accurate high resolution image. Other polymers such as cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose acetate and vinyl materials can be used as well.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polymer for the second layer is two different viscosity CAPs, the first material being a relatively low viscosity polymer and the second material being a high viscosity polymer. Including a mixture that is As is known in the art, the viscosity of a polymer is often quantified by noting the time it takes for a given amount of polymer standard solution to pass through a standard sized opening in a container. A preferred mixture of resins is used in equal weight. 5 seconds resin and 20 seconds resin, such resins are available from Eastman Ch.
Available from emical Company under the trade names CAP 504-0.2 and CAP 482-20.

The material of the first layer should contain sufficient UV dye to significantly increase the optical density in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, but avoid excessive absorption in the infrared and visible parts of the spectrum. A typical loading of dye contains about 10 to 1000 milligrams per cm ² . The coating of the second layer is typically accomplished by extrusion coating from a solvent based solution of polymer and dye, but other coatings such as rod coating, spin coating, blade coating, dip coating and the like. You may use the method.

Still other embodiments of the invention may be implemented. For example, the material of the first layer does not necessarily have to be made of metal, but other destructible materials such as organic materials can be used as well. The second layer may include a different absorbing species than the dyes described herein. It should also be understood that other layer materials such as anti-reflective layers, protective layers, etc. as are known in the art may be incorporated into the media of the present invention. These layers are the first layer and the second layer.
It may be placed between the layers to take into account the overlapping relationship or they may be placed in another way.

FIG. 10 shows a preferred commercial embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10
1 illustrates a particular direct recording film 10. The film comprises a substrate 110 preferably made of a polyester material such as PET which has good optical clarity. Typically, the substrate is made from a relatively thin body of material to provide sufficient rigidity during handling and use, and 650 gauge polyester has been found to be advantageous in the practice of the invention. Disposed over substrate 110 is a relatively thin layer 112 of titanium metal. This layer functions as the first layer of the film system of the present invention and is easily destroyed by laser irradiation. Typically, the thickness of this layer 112 is less than 1 micron and its white light optical density is selected to be about .5 to .8. A heat dispersion undercoat layer 114 is disposed on the first metal layer 112. This layer has a thickness of approximately 2 microns and, as mentioned above, serves to minimize the formation of defects such as trapezoidal edges, tips and the like. This layer is preferably made from hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate. The dye coating layer 116 is disposed on the undercoat layer 114. This layer functions as the second layer of the film and contains the UV absorbing dye therein. The thickness of the dye coating layer is about 5-6 microns.

In addition, the embodiment of FIG. 10 includes a coversheet assembly 118 disposed on the dye coating layer 116. The cover sheet assembly 118 includes the backing sheet 12
2 comprises an adhesive body 120 carried on. In the illustrated embodiment, the backing sheet 122 has an underlayer 124 that facilitates bonding of the adhesive body 120 thereto.
On the adhesive body. Optionally, cover sheet 118 preferably has on its upper surface an antistatic coating 126 known in the art, which coating 126 serves to prevent charging which would be a pile of dust.

In this embodiment, the backing sheet 122 is preferably made from a polyester material such as PET having a thickness of about 92 gauge. The adhesive body 120 can be any commercially available adhesive that has a suitable viscosity with respect to the dye coating layer 116. The underlayer 124 is preferably included to ensure that the adhesive body 120 bonds more firmly to the backing sheet 122 than to the dye coating layer 116. The composition of the underlayer 124 depends on the nature of the adhesive body 116 and the backing sheet 122, and commercially available materials are readily available for this purpose.

A particular variation of the film of FIG. 10 may be made using a basecoat prepared by coating a 10% weight solution in 45% methanol and 45% ethyl acetate. Another basecoat composition was, by weight, a 25% hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate emulsion sold by Morton Chemical Company under the tradename Morton Polymer 10 dissolved in 50% deionized water and 25% isopropanol. Including.

One preferred dye coating layer is 395.81 grams of acetone, 319.04 grams of methanol, 193.42 grams of propylene glycol methyl ether solvent sold under the trade name Dowanol PM, trade name CAP 504-0.2 by Eastman Chemical Company.
28.91 grams of Cellulose Acetate Propionate sold at .5 seconds, Ea
28.91 grams of cellulose acetate propionate sold under the tradename CAP 482-20 by stman Chemical Company, 20 seconds, diazonium salt of Formula I and Formula III
30.91 grams of a UV absorbing dye with the trade name LPA dye T-113 prepared by coupling with a coupler of, and a dimethylpolysiloxane copolymer modified polymer sold under the trade name BYK331 by Byk Chemie Chemical Company. 3 grams. Prepared by rod coating the solution of. This material is rod coated onto the subbing layer to a thickness of about 5-6 microns.

An alternative dye coating formulation suitable for extrusion coating is 382 by weight.
Grams of acetone, 310 grams of methanol, 188 grams of Dowanol PM, 38 grams of CAP (.5 seconds), 38 grams of CAP (20 seconds), 40 grams of LPA dye T-113, and .4 grams of BYK331. contains. This mixture is extrusion coated to a thickness of about 5-6 microns.

The preferred adhesive formulation in the embodiment of FIG. 10 is Morton Chemical Compan
Includes contact adhesive sold under the trade name Morstick 220 under y. This adhesive 9
0 grams is mixed with 10 grams water and coated onto a 92 gauge pretreated polyester sheet to a thickness of about 12 microns.

Thus, it should be understood that the drawings, discussions, and descriptions set forth above are illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the practice of the invention.
The claims define the scope of the invention, including all equivalents.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   1 is a cross-sectional view of an image processing medium configured according to the principles of the present invention.

[Fig. 2]   It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st process of the image processing of the medium of FIG.

[Figure 3]   It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd process of the image processing of the medium of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an image processing medium constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, showing the first step of the image processing.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the image processing medium of FIG. 4, showing a second step of image formation on the image processing medium.

[Figure 6]   FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the use of the image processing medium of the present invention as a photomask.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a part of the image processing film of the present invention, showing a specific microscopic defect in the image part.

[Figure 8]   8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of the imaging medium of FIG. 7.

[Figure 9]   FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the image processing medium of the present invention, which includes a heat diffusion layer.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an image processing medium constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ , CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, K E, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM , AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM) , AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, D K, EE, ES, FI, GB, GE, GH, GM, HR , HU, ID, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, L V, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ , PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, U Z, VN, YU, ZW F-term (reference) 2H025 AA02 AA04 AA11 AA13 AB08                       AC08 AD03 BH02 CC02 DA13                       FA10                 2H123 AA00 AA51 BB00 BB13

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A direct recording comprising: a substrate; a first layer of a first material disposed on the substrate; and a second layer of a second material disposed in superposed relation with the first layer. An image processing film, wherein the first layer has a higher absorbance for the light of the second wavelength for the light of the first wavelength, and the light of the second wavelength is shorter than the light of the first wavelength. The second layer has a lower absorbance for the light of the first wavelength than the first layer, and a higher absorbance for the light of the second wavelength than the first layer, A direct recording image processing film, wherein the first layer can be destroyed by the light having the first wavelength. 2. The direct recording image processing film according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a metal layer. 3. The direct recording image processing film according to claim 1, wherein the second layer contains an ultraviolet absorbing dye therein. 4. The direct recording image processing film according to claim 3, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing dye is an azo dye. 5. The azo dye comprises an aromatic coupling agent and the following formula: And [Chemical 2] Wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl, Y is halogen, and X is an anion; formed by reaction with a diazonium salt selected from the group consisting of:
The direct recording image processing film according to claim 4. 6. The aromatic compound has the following formula: And [Chemical 4] A direct-recording image-processing film according to claim 5, selected from the group consisting of: wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl, and n is a positive integer. 7. A direct recording image processing film according to claim 3, wherein said second layer comprises a polymer matrix in which said UV absorbing dye is dissolved. 8. The direct recording image processing film according to claim 1, further comprising a heat dispersion layer inserted between the first layer and the second layer. 9. The heat dissipating layer comprises a layer of polymer matrix.
The direct recording image processing film described in 1. 10. The direct recording image processing film according to claim 9, wherein the polymer material is hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate. 11. The direct recording image processing film according to claim 1, wherein the first layer of the first material comprises a layer of titanium. 12. A direct recording image processing film according to claim 11, wherein the titanium layer has an optical density in the range of .1 to .8. 13. The direct recording image processing film according to claim 7, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a cellulose acetate polymer. 14. The direct-recording image processing film according to claim 13, wherein the cellulose acetate polymer comprises a mixture of at least two cellulose acetate propionates having different viscosities. 15. The direct recording image processing film of claim 13, wherein the cellulose acetate polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and combinations thereof. 16. The direct recording image processing film of claim 1, further comprising a cover sheet assembly, the cover sheet assembly including a layer of adhesive in contact with the second layer. 17. A direct recording comprising: a substrate; a first layer of a first material disposed on the substrate; and a second layer of a second material disposed in superposed relation with the first layer. An image processing film, wherein the first layer has a higher absorbance for the light of the second wavelength for the light of the first wavelength, and the light of the second wavelength is shorter than the light of the first wavelength. The second layer has a lower absorbance for the light of the first wavelength than the first layer, and a higher absorbance for the light of the second wavelength than the first layer, And a cover sheet including the first layer that can be destroyed by the light having the first wavelength; and an adhesive body disposed on the second layer, and a backing sheet disposed on the adhesive body. A direct recording image processing film comprising an assembly. 18. A method of manufacturing a phototool, comprising the steps of: I. providing a direct recording image processing film, the film comprising: a substrate; a first material disposed on the substrate. A first layer of: and a second layer of a second material disposed in a superposed relationship with the first layer; By contrast, it has a higher absorbance for light of a second wavelength, the light of the second wavelength being shorter than the light of the first wavelength; Has a lower absorbance than the first layer, and has a higher absorbance than the first layer with respect to the light of the second wavelength, and the first layer can be destroyed by the light of the first wavelength. II. Optical beam of the first wavelength on the image processing film. Directing the beam of light having sufficient energy to destroy the first layer,
Creating a rupture region in the first layer; whereby the superjacent portion of the second layer above the rupture region is no longer supported by the substrate;
And III. Removing the superjacent portion of the second layer from the film;
Thereby producing a region of the film that lacks the second layer. 19. The adhesive body comprises removing the superjacent portion by contacting the superjacent portion with an adhesive body and removing the adhesive body from the rest of the film. 19. The method of claim 18, including adhering and removing to the super-jacent portion. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of providing a direct recording image processing film further comprises providing a film having a cover sheet assembly containing an adhesive body in contact with the second layer. Directing the light beam of the first wavelength onto the film, directing the beam through the substrate; and removing the super-jacent portion of the cover sheet assembly. Including removing; a method.